Zach Scott Gainous

Zach was born and grew up in the northern Florida panhandle area in Tallahassee, Florida. He was born 3 months premature and as a result has cerebral palsy and relies on the use of a manual wheelchair. Zach was strong-willed in dealing with the physical limitations of his permanent disability, including the judgments of others that can come with that, and didn’t let them impact his passions and goals in life. This experience has given him a unique perspective and dedication to analyzing potential issues and solving problems for his clients. While some kids were outside or playing sports, Zach grew up listening to and learning to play music, watching sports and movies, hunting, fishing, and riding ATVs, and tinkering with computers and technology. He began playing guitar at around 8 years old and could often be found as a young kid reading the liner notes on albums and books on the music business, curiously wondering and eventually learning what the people and companies involved really did, and what the terms like “publishing”, “copyright”, and “mastered” meant. His curiosity and passion for music from such a young age would later influence and help him to serve his clients. When he wasn’t listening to or playing music, he could be found watching or attending sports, including Florida State baseball, basketball, and most games of the great Bobby Bowden coached football teams of the 80s and 90s, the Atlanta Braves, Orlando Magic, Tampa Bay Bucs, Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the NHL’s Florida Panthers, watching sci-fi movies like Star Wars and Star Trek, learning to code and program websites and software, or hunting and fishing in the woods and waters of Florida and south Georgia with his father and grandfather. This exposure to a diverse group of interests would later serve as the inspiration to him helping his client’s pursuit of their passions and interests. In high school, Zach began performing in cover bands and groups, playing guitar in bars and local events on the weekends. After high school, Zach moved to the Nashville area to attend college and earn his bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University’s Music Business and Recording Industry program in their College of Media and Entertainment in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. While attending MTSU, Zach completed courses in music production, audio and music engineering and editing, copyright law, artist management, music business contracts, music publishing, record label marketing and operations, digital marketing, A&R, and concert promotion, booking, and touring, and minored in courses in business entrepreneurship. During college Zach also began working as a freelance professional studio musician and record producer, producing and playing guitar and instruments on recording sessions for songwriters and independent music artists. His undergraduate experience and education would later help him more than most in looking out for and helping his clients. After completing his courses, Zach went on to work in the music industry, always continuing to work as a freelance studio session musician and guitarist and record producer, but also working in the digital marketing department at Universal Music Group Nashville. At UMG Nashville, he helped to market the careers, music, and albums of artists like Sugarland, Billy Currington, George Strait, and many more. After leaving UMG, Zach went on to work as a consultant for music artists and music managers and other music, entertainment, and sports related marketing agencies and companies, helping artists, entertainers, athletes and celebrities with their marketing and career planning, while also continuing his freelance work as musician and producer. Eventually, influenced by his experience and education and the support of his industry mentors, colleagues, and family and friends, Zach decided to enroll in law school, choosing to attend night classes at the Nashville School of Law while continuing to work in the music, entertainment, and sports industries. While in law school, Zach continued to work as a freelance record producer and recording session musician, and he also worked as a royalties and contract analyst at music, entertainment, and sports business management and accounting firm Bluesky Group, where he helped with audits and ensuring that songwriters, producers, music artists, entertainers, and athletes were properly paid their earned royalties and more. At Nashville School of Law, Zach also completed courses in entertainment law, intellectual property law, contract law, civil litigation and procedure, constitutional law, law practice management, and restitution and remedies, among others. After graduating from NSL, and studying for and passing the Tennessee bar, Zach went on to found The Fruitful Firm, and serves as its primary talent manager and agent, as well as managing attorney for its legal clients. At the Fruitful Firm, Zach uses his unique and diverse knowledge and nearly 20 years of experience working to help entertainers, creators, athletes, and entrepreneurs, to help the firm’s clients pursue their goals, have the best chances of success, and protect their interests.